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Grace stared blankly at the figure of the retreating demon until he had disappeared completely from view. His parting words still echoed in her mind.

This is Hell...

Get used to it.

...get used to it......

'NO!' exclaimed Grace, sinking to her knees as something inside her snapped, burst, and she could take no more. Her heart welled up with emotion, and her eyes with tears. 'No, I can't get used to it... it's not fair...'

Her sight blurred once again as she wept, and the only thing she could see in front of her was a subtle silver glint – her cross waving beneath her as she held her head in her hands. She blinked at it and fresh tears came to her eyes.

'Why, God? Why?' she whispered. 'What did I do to deserve this? Oh, God, why...'

As she sniffed, she felt a black shadow loom over her, but when she turned back with a start, there was no one there. The dark, rough walls on either side offered no clue, and the light from the flickering candles mounted above seemed to mislead her more than guide her.

She turned back uncomfortably and ran a trembling finger over her cross – it was still surprisingly cool.

'I don't think those things will do you any good here, so the sooner you do away with them, the better,' said a smooth, suave voice from where Grace had sensed the shadow a few seconds ago.

She looked back at once – but there seemed to be no one there, even now.

'Who are you?' she said anxiously. 'Show yourself!'

'My pleasure,' said the voice, velvety smooth, and almost like... a purr.

Grace watched the shadows overhead, until something emerged from them and landed softly on the ground in front of her.

It was the black cat from the street!

'It's you!' she exclaimed.

'Yes, thank you for feeding me,' said the cat, waving its tail.

'Wait, you can talk?!' said Grace in surprise.

The cat seemed to frown at her. 'Of course I can talk; I've got a tongue, haven't I?'

'But – but it's...'

'But what? Are you surprised? The truth is, all cats – and all animals – do talk, but humans can't understand them. Here in Hell though, that changes; as you can now see.'

'That's amazing! I still can't believe it...'

'Oh, please, at least try to say something new,' groaned the cat. 'Everyone goes and reacts with the same ridiculous expression and says the same thing! "I can't believe it!!" Hmph... we cats never got surprised at a human talking!'

'Well, I'm not used to it, okay?! What else do you expect?'

'All right, whatever.'

'Did you end up here because of me?' said Grace worriedly. 'I'm so sorry...'

'Don't be. Because you ended up here because of me – or at least with my help.'

'What do you mean?'

'A presence from Hell had to be near you to complete the summoning. I happen to navigate both worlds easily, which is why I decided to help that poor demon complete his silly ritual. I take it this didn't work either, though...'

'He must be off his rocker to think that some random human would have magical powers to send him to Earth,' said Grace crossly. 'And awfully inconsiderate not to think about what would happen to me if it failed!'

'He's actually one of the better ones. The Assistant hates him.'

'Who's the Assistant?'

'He's the Devil's Assistant.'

'I don't... understand...'

The cat rolled its eyes. 'It doesn't get simpler than that, genius. He is the assistant of the Devil. So, he is the Devil's Assistant!'

'Oh... he doesn't sound very nice...'

'Well, what else do you expect him to be, Santa Claus?'

'Look, you don't have to be so sarcastic all the time! I'm trying to process all this, okay?!'

'Whatever.'

'Doesn't he have a name, though?'

'It's something long and I never bothered memorising it,' yawned the cat. 'Just call him the Devil's Assistant. Or the Assistant. Or the bane of your life. Whatever flies for you.'

'Sounds like he's going to be trouble,' said Grace worriedly. 'Listen, isn't there any way out of here?'

'If there was, none of us would still be here, would we?' said the cat, rolling its eyes.

Grace stared at it.

'What are you looking at?'

'Well, I've never seen a cat roll its eyes before...'

'Oops. Sorry I have a personality,' said the cat, wrapping its tail around itself and licking it.

Grace shook her head, half-amused. 'Okay,' she said. 'So... you said there isn't a way out, but you're able to get out of here, aren't you?'

'Only for a short time,' said the cat. 'My permanent home is still this old place, and I must always come back. Even this temporary transit is only for a few select animals: cats, bats, et cetera. Not anyone else.'

'Oh,' said Grace, rather crestfallen.

'So, like I said before, since this is your new home now – like it or not – it's about time you let go of these relics from the old world that you're so used to,' said the cat, stretching itself before getting up and walking right up to her. 'That cross: useless. Tears? Won't help you here. And God? He left this place a long, long time ago. Prayers hold no meaning here – it's each one to himself.'

'No,' said Grace, shaking her head and holding her cross with trembling hands. 'This is the last thing I still have left. And after all, it is at times like this that faith is needed the most!'

'Faith!' laughed the cat sardonically. 'A fairytale for earthdwellers and nothing more! A child's reassurance! But when you open your eyes one day and find out that the entire framework of your life is doomed to be within the confines of Hell, you know very well that nothing you can say or do or believe will ever get you out of there! And the sooner you realise that, the better!'

'But...' said Grace sadly, her heart growing heavier as the weight of his words sank in.

'You can deny it all you like, but it's the plain truth; and that's the kindest thing you can hear here, as you'll find out soon enough,' said the cat. 'And mark my words: it's futile to waste a single minute praying on these unholy grounds; for even the screams of Hell never reach God's ears; they bounce off the wrought-iron gates that imprison us and come echoing straight back to mock us. Don't look at me like that! Even you must know what's written in all the scriptures: there's no salvation for the damned!'

Grace blinked at him and stood perfectly still, like one struck by lightning, or turned to stone.

'I know it's a lot to take in, but it's the truth and the sooner you swallow it whole, the better,' said the cat, walking down the corridor and turning back sharply one last time, its golden eyes gazing eerily before its black form melted into the shadows once more. 'Farewell, human. I'd say God be with you, but He isn't. So, farewell!'